unterbrink



V. UNTERBRINK DRESSING APPLICAT OR FOR FLOOR SURFACE July 16, 1963 Filed July 2, 1962 INVENTOR. VICTOR UNTERBPINK United States Patent nois Filed July 2, 1962, Ser. No. 206,697 4 Qiaims. ((31. -418) The present invention relates to improvements in apparatns for applying and wiping a dressing evenly on a bowling lane or other fioor surface.

During a bowling season the bowling lane develops surface irregularities due primarily to variations in temperature, moisture, different wear resistance of various boards in the lane, and to other factors. Such irregularities result in uneven rolling of the ball and, as heretofore practiced, these uneven surfaces can be smoothed only by complete sanding and refinishing of the lane. The device of the present invention accomplishes the desired result easily and quickly and without the time consuming costly practice of sanding and refinishing. Use of the present device several times during a bowling season will suffice to maintain the lane in a smooth condition.

The device of the present invention consists essentially of an applicator for applying surface dressing such as shellac, varnish, lacquer, plastic and the like to the lane or other surface and which preferably has associated with it a scraper bar that functions to insure proper distribution of the dressing and removal of high spots on the surface being dressed.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a surface dressing applicator of the character referred to.

Another object is to provide a dressing applicator with novel scraper means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel double-bar applicator for surface dressing.

The structure by means of which the above noted and other advantages and objects of the invention are attained will be described in the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing a preferred illustrative embodiment of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an applicator for lane dressing embodying the features of the present invention, showing it in use on a bowling lane;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken substantially on line 33 of FIG. 1.

Referring to the exemplary disclosure of the invention in the accompanying drawings, the applicator comprises generally of a wiper head 11 and a handle 12. When in use, the head is laid upon the surface of a bowling lane 13 and it is drawn the length thereof so as to wipe the lane surface clean and simultaneously to apply uniformly a layer of lane dressing on said surface.

More particularly, the head 11 comprises a pair of spaced apart transversely extending rails 14, 15 connected at their ends by end rails 16 each of which extends forwardly, as at 17, of the lead rail 14. The inside or opposed faces 18 of the extensions 17 are inclined inwardly rearwardly from the free ends thereof for a purpose to become apparent presently. The entire bottom face of the frame is covered with a soft absorbent pad 19 which may comprise any suitable fabric, sheepskin, lambs wool or even foam rubber, natural or syn- 3,997,385 Fatented July 16, 1963 'ice thetic. Each end rail 16 is provided in the area between rails 14, 15, and on its upper inside corner, with a notch 21 (FIG. 3) provided to receive seated therein the offset 22. at each end of a scraper bar 2 3. When the bar 23 is mounted in the frame, as shown, its lower edge 24 rests upon the surface of bowling lane 13.

In use, a sufiicient quantity of liquid or powder lane dressing 25, which may include a solvent, is poured onto the lane surface in advance of lead rail 14. The end rail extensions 17 prevent the dressing from flowing into the gutters on each side of the lane. The applicator then is drawn forwardly so as to spread the dressing uniformly over the lane surface. As the lead rail "14 advances over and distributes the dressing on the lane surface, said dressing and, more particulariy, the solvent therein, tends to soften a previously applied coat or coats of dressing. This softened coating becomes mixed with the newly applied dressing and when the second rail 15 is advanced over the mixture, said second rail spreads the dressing evenly. Should there be any build up of foreign materials on the lead rail 14 resulting in uneven distribution of the dressing, the second rail 15 will be effective to smooth out any imperfections before the dressing hardens, leaving a brushed effect.

It is preferred that the applicator be fitted with scraper bar 23 which functions to assist removal of prior applied coats and high spots before the second rail 15 passes over the surface. The scraper bar 23, therefore, removes all irregularities in the surface being dressed. Also, the bar insures that the liquid dressing as well as any prior dressing mixed therewith is evenly distributed over the surface irrespective of the presence or absence of any small irregularities remaining therein. Thus, in instances of a low surface area on the lane, a maximum quantity of lane dressing is spread thereover whereas in areas where the lane surface is high only a thin layer of dressing is applied thereto. As a result the entire lane is provided with a smooth surface, thus avoiding the need for resurfacing.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An applicator for applying dressing on a surface comprising, in combination, a handle, a substantially rectangular head on said handle, said head comprising spaced apart parallel front and back rails and connecting end rails, a covering of absorbent material covering the bottom face of said front, back and end rails, and a scraper bar located between the front and back rails and bridging the end rails, said bar having its bottom face resting on the surface.

2. The applicator recited in claim 1, in which the scraper bar is removable.

3. The applicator recited in claim 1, in which the scraper bar is shouldered at its ends and the end rails are notched to receive said ends.

4. The applicator recited in claim 1, in which the scraper bar is loosely mounted in the end rails.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,068,713 Thurman July 29, 1913 1,709,711 Duffy Apr. 16, 1929 2,438,354 Unterbrink Mar. 23, 1948 2,666,323 Ames Jan. 19, 1954 2,692,402 Dechaux Oct. 26, 1954 

1. AN APPLICATOR FOR APPLYING DRESSING ON A SURFACE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A HANDLE, A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR HEAD ON SAID HANDLE, SAID HEAD COMPRISING SPACED APART PARALLEL FRONT AND BACK RAILS AND CONNECTING END RAILS, A COVERING OF ABSORBENT MATERIAL COVERING THE BOT- 